Share

Sponsor

Police Chief Gerald Schofield said the teenager was walking on Hunter Road near his home at about 5:20 p.m. on Nov. 4 when he was struck by a 2004 Ford Taurus driven by John J. Fortier of Lewiston. Fortier, 46, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence resulting in injury or death. His blood alcohol content was 0.10 percent; the legal limit is 0.08 percent. He was released on bail later that night.

Freeport Police Department Detective Gino Bianchini said Fortier was traveling north and the boy
was walking on the same side of the road, against traffic. The speed limit is 35 miles per hour in that area. Bianchini said Fortier was cooperative.

"It is unusual to receive a call from the driver in an accident when the
driver had been drinking," Bianchini said. "He called us."

Bianchini said witnesses reported the boy was seen walking in the road 10 to 15 minutes before the accident. He was wearing dark clothing, which was normal for him, the detective said.

Fortier is scheduled to appear Dec. 21 in Portland Superior Court. Bianchini said the district attorney's office will decide whether or not to pursue a charge of aggravated assault. At this time, he said the only charge filed is from the Freeport Police Department for allegedly operating under the influence.

The Brunswick police have helped reconstruct the accident scene and Fortier's vehicle will be inspected by the Maine State Police in the near future. Bianchini said the car's breaks, lights and steering will be investigated.

"When we get the results of the car autopsy and the reconstructed accident scene we will know more about what happened," he said.